Teen Counselling

A Safe, Calm Space for Teenagers to Talk and Be Heard

I offer counselling for teenagers online, providing a safe, calm space where young people can talk openly, explore their feelings, and make sense of what they’re going through. Adolescence can feel intense and confusing. Identity, friendships, school pressure, family expectations, social media, and the constant sense of “getting it right” can all build up quickly. Many teenagers carry far more than they show on the surface.

In therapy, I offer a warm, steady presence where teens can speak freely without worrying about judgement, expectation, or pressure. My aim is to help young people feel supported, understood, and grounded, creating a space where it’s okay to not have everything figured out.

Whether a teenager is experiencing anxiety, overwhelm, identity questions, academic pressures, friendship challenges, neurodivergent traits, emotional regulation difficulties, or simply wants someone neutral to talk to, therapy can offer meaningful support. This page is here for both teenagers and parents to understand how teen counselling works with me, and how I approach this work with care, respect, and compassion.

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Understanding What Teenagers Bring to Therapy

Teenagers come to therapy for many different reasons, and all of them are valid. Some feel anxious or overwhelmed and don’t know how to communicate it. Others feel lost or misunderstood. Some are navigating friendship challenges, school pressure, identity questions, sensory or emotional intensity, or moments of low confidence.

Many teens also come to therapy because they’re struggling to regulate emotions or because they feel like they’re “too much” or “not enough.” Some carry stress quietly, while others express it outwardly. Counselling for teenagers isn’t about diagnosing or labelling. It’s about giving them a safe place to explore their experience, learn what their emotions are trying to say, and work out what they need.

How Teen Counselling Can Help

Counselling for teenagers can be incredibly grounding during a time when everything feels unfamiliar or heightened. In therapy, teens begin to understand their emotions rather than feeling controlled by them. They learn healthier coping strategies, gain confidence in who they are becoming, and develop tools to communicate what they need.

We might explore how anxiety shows up in the body, how to recognise overwhelm before it peaks, or how to understand patterns in friendships and family life. We may talk through identity questions, perfectionism, burnout, or simply what it feels like to be navigating life in a constantly changing world.

Over time, therapy supports young people to build self trust, resilience, and a clearer sense of their own voice.

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My Approach to Teen Counselling

My work is based in integrative counselling, blending person centred and psychodynamic approaches. This means I adapt to each young person rather than following a rigid structure. Some teens talk a lot. Others take time to open up. Some communicate through stories, emotions, or small moments. Others through direct questions. Most are still discovering how they express themselves. All ways of being are welcome.

I work gently, without judgement, and at a pace the young person sets. Sessions can include silence, exploration, questions, grounding, or simply space to process what feels heavy. I never push, analyse, or demand more than a teenager is ready to share. This is their space, and I hold it with consistency and care.

Supporting communication is central to my approach. I help teens find words for their feelings, understand where emotions come from, and build confidence in expressing themselves. I aim to be the therapist I needed as a teenager: someone safe, steady, flexible, and deeply understanding.

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Supporting Neurodivergent Teenagers

Many neurodivergent teens experience intense overwhelm, masking fatigue, sensory challenges, or a feeling of being “different” without quite knowing why. School and social environments can add pressure, especially when others expect them to cope in ways that don’t align with how their brain works.

In therapy, we explore what’s happening beneath the surface, such as sensory overload, burnout, communication differences, executive functioning challenges, identity questions, or navigating social expectations. My approach is neurodivergent affirming, gently paced, and shaped around each teen’s unique way of communicating.

Online counselling for teenagers can be especially helpful here, allowing them to stay in a familiar, regulated environment while still accessing support.

What Sessions Are Like

I offer therapy for teens online, which many young people prefer. Being at home, in a space they feel comfortable, often makes it easier to talk. A level of privacy is important for teens to open up fully, and this is supported and agreed with primary caregivers.

Sessions are 50 minutes and fully collaborative. We go at the young person’s pace. Some sessions involve deep reflection, while others focus on grounding, understanding patterns, or simply creating space to breathe.

I clearly explain confidentiality, including safeguarding, in a way that makes sense and feels respectful. Every teenager is different, and my role is to adapt, listen, and support them in a way that feels accessible and safe.

For Parents and Caregivers

I recognise that trusting someone with your teenager’s wellbeing can feel daunting. My role is to create a confidential space where your child can be honest and open. This privacy is essential for building trust and allowing young people to express themselves freely.

Therapy is not only for problems. It’s also a space for emotional growth, resilience, and learning how to navigate life in a healthier way.

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Training and background

Postgraduate Diploma in Person-Centred and Psychodynamic Counselling (University of Edinburgh, COSCA-accredited)
BA (Hons) Psychology with Sociology (Edinburgh Napier University).
Clinical placements at Health in Mind, ESMS Schools, and the West End Therapy Centre, working with a diverse range of clients and presenting issues.

Why I Work with Teenagers

Working with teens is something I care deeply about. During my counselling training and placements, particularly at ESMS Schools and the West End Therapy Centre, I saw how much young people carry. These years are full of change, pressure, and emotional learning, often without the language or tools to navigate them.

I struggled as a teenager myself. I didn’t understand my emotions, found communication difficult, and didn’t yet know I was neurodivergent. I often felt overwhelmed without having the words for it. Because of this, I am committed to offering teenagers the kind of support I wish I had: someone who listens, understands, and sees beyond the surface. Someone steady, kind, and patient. Someone outside their day to day world who can help them feel more connected to themselves.

Fees

My fee is £70 per 50-minute counselling session.

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Get Started

Sessions are held online for accessibility and comfort. You can book a free 15-minute consultation to explore whether counselling feels right for you.